Is Apple Music shaping the future of streaming, or is it just playing catch-up?In this episode, we discuss the past ten years of Apple Music, its role in music streaming, and whether it’s more important to the music business than it is to Apple overall.Join me and Tati Cirisano from MIDiA Research as we break down the moves that led to this point, the exclusives, its stalled growth in recent years, and how it fits into Apple’s broader ecosystem.00:15 Drake Announcing Apple Music at WWDC in 201504:30 Apple Music's Market Position11:11 The Apple Ecosystem18:53 Apple Music's Editorial and Curatorial EffortsThis episode is presented by Trolley, the payout platform built for the music industry, helping artists, labels, and platforms seamlessly manage and distribute royalties worldwide.

The most influential conversations about your industry might be from an anonymous commenters who is validated by hundreds of upvotes on popular subreddit thread.Join me and Dr. Marcus Collins, the award-winning marketer, author, and friend of the pod, as we discuss the significant cultural influence of Reddit, its evolution as a community of subcultures, and how the business has evolved.02:08 Reddit as a Market Research Tool04:54 The Power of Community and Moderation15:29 Will Monetization Match its Cultural Influence?19:41 If We Ran RedditThis episode is presented by State Farm, the home for your small business needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.Listen in for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week.

In this engaging discussion, Web Barr, Founder and CEO of High Bar Media and host of Media Moguls, tackles the current state of true moguls in entertainment. He delves into the legendary rise of Ted Turner and the evolution of power players from traditional moguls to modern independent creators. Web highlights the dramatic shifts in media consumption, the influence of tech giants like Elon Musk, and the duality of industry practices today. He also speculates on the future landscape of media leadership and the challenges faced by creators.

What if the most important social network in the world isn’t a social network at all?In this episode, we explore how WhatsApp—often overlooked in the U.S.—has become a lifeline for families, businesses, artists, and economies worldwide.Join me and Tati Cirisano from MIDiA Research as we break down whether WhatsApp is the closest thing to a true “everything app,” how it differs from iMessage and texting, and why Meta has struggled to monetize it despite its massive reach.04:33 WhatsApp's Global Growth Strategy17:07 WhatsApp's Advertising and Privacy Dilemma21:34 WhatsApp's role in Meta l24:22 Instagram DMs vs WhatsApp29:38 WhatsApp's US Growth ProspectsThis episode is presented by State Farm, the home for your small business needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.Listen in for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week.If you enjoy Trapital, please rate and review on your favorite podcast platform!

It’s the perfect time to revisit one of our more popular episodes. Taylor Swift and Beyoncé are still at the top of the music industry despite the newer artists that do well on streaming and TikTok. That said, can today’s new class of stars ever match that same level of superstardom? .In this episode, I’m joined by Tati Cirisano from MIDiA Research to explore how artists like Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa, and Bad Bunny are navigating the ever-changing music landscape. What does it take to break through the noise, and is music stardom evolving into something completely different?Let’s get into it02:00 Streaming's Impact on Music Industry07:06 The impact of streaming and TikTok11:09 Olivia Rodrigo's Streaming vs Sales15:03 Dua Lipa, Doja Cat, SZA23:23 Morgan Wallen, Bad Bunny30:28 "Music Industry Aspirations and Realities"33:39 Emerging Artists: Success Through Unique RootsTrapital Summit tickets are on sale! Super early bird discount until April 30. Register here.This episode is presented by State Farm, the home for your small business needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.Make sure you check out TechCrunch’s flagship podcast, Equity.Listen in for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week.If you enjoy Trapital, please rate and review on your favorite podcast platform!

Tati Cirisano, an Analyst at MIDiA Research, dives into Spotify's potential new premium tier, Music Pro. The discussion reveals what the new features like enhanced audio quality and presale tickets might mean for superfans. Cirisano highlights the challenges of consumer price sensitivity and the possible backlash artists could face from added charges. The complexities of user expectations versus industry revenue goals are also examined, along with how platforms can balance profitability while meeting evolving consumer wants.

Every few years, Meta makes a big push with a media-related product, but few of then have lasted long.Instant Articles, Facebook Watch, Instagram Live, podcasts, music videos and more. Why don’t these initiatives stick? Is this similar with most social media platforms that try new things? How will this evolve in the future?Join me and MIDiA Research’s Tati Cirisano as we discuss Meta, its suite of apps, and why these initiatives come and go.04:32 Entertainment vs. Social Platforms12:29 Meta’s Opportunity Cost17:01 Instagram, WhatsApp, and acquisitions23:21 The Future of Facebook25:38 Social Media Trends30:13 Open vs Closed Social PlatformsThis episode is presented by State Farm, the home for your small business needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.Listen in for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week.If you enjoy Trapital, please rate and review on your favorite podcast platform!

Join journalist Zack O'Malley Greenburg, who specializes in music and business, as he explores the surprising world of streaming. Discover which 1980s and 2000s songs top Spotify's charts, revealing unexpected hits. He dives into the impact of TikTok on radio, the enduring success of tracks like 'Mr. Brightside,' and how cultural factors influence global music reception. The conversation also touches on the contrasting styles of Kendrick Lamar and Drake, shedding light on their unique appeal in today's hip-hop landscape.

When it comes to music, Disney is a generational hitmaker. From Miley Cyrus to Hilary Duff, Disney has consistently produced some of the biggest names in music over the past few decades. We break down what worked well, what hasn’t, and how it has evolved with artists like Olivia Rodrigo.Join me and MIDiA Research’s Tati Cirisano as we dive in Disney’s enduring influence in the music industry.02:00 The Pop Star Pipeline05:16 The Eras of Disney’s Pop Stars09:04 Why Nickelodeon Doesn’t Have a Pipeline17:33 Disney's Impact on Artist Careers34:32 Can Other Companies Do The SameThis episode is presented by State Farm, the home for your small business needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.Listen in for our Chartmetric Stat of the Week.If you enjoy Trapital, please rate and review on your favorite podcast platform!

Kristin Robinson, a Billboard writer specializing in TikTok, joins the conversation to discuss the platform's turbulent relationship with U.S. politics. They delve into the implications of potential bans and how TikTok has shaped influencer marketing, especially among younger voters. Kristin highlights the importance of TikTok's algorithm and speculates on its future ownership post-2024. Discussions also cover the emotional toll on creators amid uncertainty and the possible decline of TikTok in favor of platforms like YouTube.